Hickory Day School Photo - Mayor Rudy Wright came to speak about different types of government.

Best Catawba County Private Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 private elementary schools serving 1,828 students in Catawba County, NC.
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Catawba County, NC include Tabernacle Christian School, Hickory Christian Academy, and St. Johns Lutheran School.
The average acceptance rate is 84%, which is higher than the North Carolina private elementary school average acceptance rate of 81%.
82% of private elementary schools in Catawba County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).

Top-Ranked Catawba County Private Elementary Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Concordia Christian Day School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
215 5th Avenue SE
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-3011
Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Hickory Christian Academy
(Christian)
3260 6th St. Dr. NW
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-5405
Gr: PK-12 | 520 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Johns Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
2126 Saint Johns Church Rd
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-4071
Gr: K-4 | 27 students
St. Stephens Lutheran School
St. Stephens Lutheran School Photo
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
(3)
2304 Springs Rd NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2166
Gr: PK-8 | 228 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Tabernacle Christian School
(Baptist)
(1)
1225 29th Avenue Dr NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-9936
Gr: K-12 | 287 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Christian Family Academy
(Christian)
(1)
1409 NC-16
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 468-5974
Gr: K-12 | 237 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cornerstone Christian Academy
Special Education School (Christian)
231 3rd Ave. Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 781-2227
Gr: 2-12 | 20 students
Hickory Day School
Hickory Day School Photo - Mayor Rudy Wright came to speak about different types of government.
(2)
2535 21st Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9492
Gr: K-8 | 136 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Johnston Wh Elementary School
Johnston Wh Elementary School Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
174 23rd St NW
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-4005
Gr: K-8 | 19 students
Montessori At Sandy Ford
Montessori School
2931 Sandy Ford Rd
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 294-7478
Gr: PK-8 | 63 students Avg. class size: 15 students
Nc Boys Academy
All-boys (Christian)
6692 Valwood Rd
Conover, NC 28613
(540) 220-9482
Gr: 7-12 | 11 students

Overview

This County (Catawba County)
This State (NC)
# Schools
11 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,828 Students
123,321 Students
% Average Students of Color
11%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
151 Teachers
12,487 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
52%
47%
Average Class Size
19 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
3 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1168
(Out of 1600)
1206
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
25

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,005
$12,475
Average Summer Program Cost
$100
$754
Average % on Financial Aid
15%
31%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,400
$5,164
Average Acceptance Rate
84%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.47
0.57
# American Indian Students
3 Students
613 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
22 Students
3,946 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
59 Students
5,316 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
4%
# Black Students
38 Students
9,204 Students
% Black Students
2%
8%
# White Students
1,181 Students
74,607 Students
% White Students
70%
61%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
476 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
398 Students
28,304 Students
% of Others Students
23%
23%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private elementary schools in Catawba County, NC?
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Catawba County, NC include Tabernacle Christian School, Hickory Christian Academy, and St. Johns Lutheran School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Catawba County?
11 private elementary schools are located in Catawba County.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Catawba County?
Catawba County private elementary schools are approximately 11% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Catawba County?
82% of private elementary schools in Catawba County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).
Which private elementary schools in Catawba County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

The True Cost of 'Required' Private School Expenses Beyond Tuition
The True Cost of 'Required' Private School Expenses Beyond Tuition
Discover the required private school expenses beyond tuition and learn how to budget for the true cost of a private school education.
How to Compare Schools When Every Website Says "Individualized"
How to Compare Schools When Every Website Says "Individualized"
Learn how to compare private schools beyond marketing language by evaluating academics, support services, teaching methods, and student outcomes.
What to Ask Before Signing an Enrollment Contract
What to Ask Before Signing an Enrollment Contract
Learn the essential questions to ask before signing a private school enrollment contract, from tuition policies to withdrawal terms and financial aid.